Dr. Melissa Shendell
Dr. Shendell is our Medical Director at Martinsville Veterinary Hospital, honored to continue Dr. Stoudt’s legacy in beautiful Martinsville. She graduated with her DVM from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. With a strong focus on gentle, fear-free handling, Dr. Shendell approaches each pet and family with care and compassion. Her special interests include palliative and hospice care as well as behavior. Big or small, Dr. Shendell will care for all of your family’s pets. When she isn’t working, you can find her spending time with her husband Joshua and their young children Oliver, Thea, Mini Aussie Clover, and cats Eris, KB, and Straya. She also enjoys horseback riding at Watchung Stables and exploring local restaurants.
Dr. Alison Weltner De Leon
Dr. Alison Weltner De Leon has been a veterinarian at Martinsville Veterinary Hospital for 10 years. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and Master of Science Degrees from New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University. Dr. Weltner grew up in Green Brook, NJ and is the daughter of a veterinarian. She now resides in Martinsville and is proud to serve her local community. Her favorite aspect of her job is getting to know the many wonderful clients and pets who come to Martinsville Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Weltner and her husband, Jon, have two sons, Jack and Grant, and an orange tabby cat named Emeril. Together, the family enjoys watching Marvel movies, visiting Cape May, cheering on the New York Yankees and the Norte Dame Fighting Irish, and staying involved in their community. Dr. Weltner is available for appointments on Saturdays.
Joshua Norton
Practice Manager
Joshua is our Practice Manager here at Martinsville. He graduated with his Bachelors in Agribusiness in 2015 from The University of Georgia and has been in business management roles since. Joshua has always had a passion for community involvement and loves the opportunity to converse with our pet parents and welcome them to the Martinsville family. When he isn’t at work Joshua enjoys time with his wife (Dr. Shendell), their children Oliver and Thea and pets Clover, Eris (his clear favorite), KB and Straya. He’s also a member of the Berkeley Heights “dads” soccer group playing weekly pick-up games where he is known for his hat tricks!
Christopher
Chris brings his over 15-years of veterinary nursing experience to our team. He views his job as a calling taking special interest in surgery, anesthesia, dentistry and mentorship. When he's not at work, he enjoys watching the Somerset Patriots with his brother, writing his epic novel and spending time with his beloved kitties!
Brianna
Future veterinary assistant and current amazing receptionist, Brianna makes every pet and their family feel welcome. When she's not caring for our hospital's patients, she's either spending time at home with her cats Oreo, Annabel, Jasper, Oliver, Riley and Charley or serving at a local restaurant.
Emily
Hi, I’m Emily! I’ve dedicated the past 18 years to the pet care industry and have spent the last 7 years working in veterinary medicine, with a strong background in Emergency and Critical Care. I now enjoy working in general practice, where I can build lasting relationships with pets and their families while helping them live long, healthy, and happy lives.
In addition to veterinary medicine, I also have experience in pet grooming, which has given me a well-rounded understanding of animal care and behavior. My favorite part of the job is connecting with clients, educating pet owners, and advocating for my patients. I strive to make every visit as comfortable and positive as possible for both pets and their people.
Outside of work, I live locally with my fiancé, AJ, and our 8-year-old son, Colton. Our home is full of furry family members, including Nala, our Siberian Husky; Rigatoni, our Boston Terrier; Ziggy and Marmalade, our Siberian Forest Cats; and Binx, our beloved black cat.
When I’m not caring for animals, I enjoy spending time at the lake with our extended family and friends, attending concerts, exploring art, cheering on my favorite sports teams, and making memories with the people and pets I love most. I feel incredibly fortunate to have built a career around my lifelong passion for animals and look forward to helping care for yours.
